Niño Dormido in Virina
A solid ivory ‘Santo Niño Dormido’ in a French style virina
Estimate: PHP 1,000,000 - 1,200,000
18th century
Paoay, Ilocos
Ivory, 14k rose gold jewelry on the Niño, polychrome, glass & wood virina, brass, velvet, mirror, other materials
Ivory Niño: 18.5 x 6 x 4 cm (7 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 in)
Total dimensions: 53.5 x 36.8 x 23 cm (21 x 14 1/2 x 9 in)
This fine example of a Sleeping Child figure is masterfully carved from a solid piece of highly prized ivory, including the arms. Only a master carver can successfully achieve perfect proportions, anatomical correctness, naif expression, and those delicate spaces between the limbs and the main body. He is richly adorned with an elaborate skull cap, bracelets and loin cover made of 14k rose gold in ‘binandili’ cut with tambourine design. Beautiful age cracks on the material are unfeigned signs of genuine old age. The Niño lays on a soft, red velvet bed in a 19th -century French style wedding glass dome brimming with gold-plated brass metalwork and mirror decorations. Every Christmas Eve, the Niño Dormido of households is taken out of the virina for the traditional “pahalik,” as family members would take turns kissing the Holy Child’s feet, similar to such rites performed in churches.
Lot 163 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 14 September 2024. Please see members.salcedoauctions.com/auction/the_well-appointed_li... for more information and to place an online bid.
Niño Dormido in Virina
A solid ivory ‘Santo Niño Dormido’ in a French style virina
Estimate: PHP 1,000,000 - 1,200,000
18th century
Paoay, Ilocos
Ivory, 14k rose gold jewelry on the Niño, polychrome, glass & wood virina, brass, velvet, mirror, other materials
Ivory Niño: 18.5 x 6 x 4 cm (7 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 in)
Total dimensions: 53.5 x 36.8 x 23 cm (21 x 14 1/2 x 9 in)
This fine example of a Sleeping Child figure is masterfully carved from a solid piece of highly prized ivory, including the arms. Only a master carver can successfully achieve perfect proportions, anatomical correctness, naif expression, and those delicate spaces between the limbs and the main body. He is richly adorned with an elaborate skull cap, bracelets and loin cover made of 14k rose gold in ‘binandili’ cut with tambourine design. Beautiful age cracks on the material are unfeigned signs of genuine old age. The Niño lays on a soft, red velvet bed in a 19th -century French style wedding glass dome brimming with gold-plated brass metalwork and mirror decorations. Every Christmas Eve, the Niño Dormido of households is taken out of the virina for the traditional “pahalik,” as family members would take turns kissing the Holy Child’s feet, similar to such rites performed in churches.
Lot 163 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 14 September 2024. Please see members.salcedoauctions.com/auction/the_well-appointed_li... for more information and to place an online bid.